What is the main goal of disinfection in wastewater treatment?

The primary goal of disinfection in wastewater treatment is to eliminate pathogens and harmful microorganisms. During the treatment process, water often contains a variety of disease-causing organisms that pose a risk to public health and the environment. Disinfection methods, such as chlorination, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, or ozone treatment, are employed to effectively kill or deactivate these pathogens, ensuring that the treated water is safe for discharge into the environment or for reuse applications.

While the removal of suspended solids, pH adjustment, and improving water clarity are important aspects of the overall wastewater treatment process, they do not directly address the necessity of making the effluent safe from microbiological hazards. Therefore, the focus of disinfection specifically targets the eradication of microorganisms to protect human health and the ecosystem.